Much is said in God’s Word about wisdom. It is clear that is an important virtue, but that wisdom should not be confused with knowledge or ‘book learning’.
The Bible often uses the tool of personification to explicate truth. Personification allows us to come to know the virtue of wisdom in the same way we come to know a person we meet. One example of this is Solomon’s personification of wisdom in Proverbs 8:12-21 (“Lady Wisdom”). As part of Her personification, the Message paraphrase even tells us the streets in her neighborhood and the names of some of her neighbors:
I Lady Wisdom, and I live next to Sanity;
Knowledge and Discretion live just down the street.
The Fear-of-God means hating Evil,
whose ways I hate with a passion –
pride and arrogance and crooked talk.
Good counsel and common sense are my characteristics;
I am both Insight and the Virtue to live it out.
With my help, leaders rule,
and lawmakers legislate fairly;
With my help, governors govern,
along with all in legitimate authority.
I love those who love me;
those who look for me find me.
Wealth and Glory accompany me –
also substantial Honor and a Good Name.
My benefits are worth more than a big salary, even a very big salary;
the returns on me exceed any imaginable bonus.
You can find me on Righteous Road – that’s where I walk –
at the intersection of Justice Avenue,
Handing out life to those who love me,
filling their arms with life – armloads of life!
The Bible describes three kinds of people, the wise, the foolish, and the evil. We pray wisdom for you today; that you live the abundant life God wishes for all of us (“armloads of life”).